Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a security pact with France in Paris on Friday, having earlier secured a similar deal with Germany hailed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz as a "historic step" anchoring support for Kyiv in its raging battle against Russia, Paralel.Az reports citing France 24.

The agreement includes a French aid pledge for up to €3 billion for 2024, after €1.7 billion in 2022 and €2.1 billion last year.

Both deals are part of Zelenskyy's drive to shore up help for his forces who are struggling to hold off Russian attacks on the frontline city of Avdiivka.

The French presidency said ahead of the meeting that the pact would run for 10 years, and include precise commitments from the French side, including financial pledges.

It would strengthen cooperation in the area of artillery, the presidency said, without providing details.

The deal is also to help pave the way towards Ukraine's future integration into the European Union and NATO, officials said.